The Hawkesbury-Nepean River system is a major social, environmental and economic asset for Greater Sydney and the Central Coast.

It contains beautiful iconic beaches, sprawling rivers and estuaries, and areas of social and cultural significance. Along with being a key economic driver for the region, the coastal zone also contains a passionate local community, who are heavily invested in its utility and management.

 

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Under the NSW Coastal Reforms, future coastal management for the estuary/river system will take the form of a Coastal Management Program (CMP). The six councils that border the Hawkesbury River system have come to the agreement of partnering in the development of an integrated, whole of estuary CMP.

The purpose of this CMP is to establish an integrated framework to support the coordinated management and ecologically sustainable development of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system, in order to maintain and enhance its social, cultural, economic and environmental values.

A coalition of the six partnering Councils who jointly have management responsibilities for the Hawkesbury River was formed in 2018.

The six Partner Councils are:

 

Our Goal

The goal is to set out the long-term strategy for the coordinated management of the coastal zone along the Hawkesbury Nepean River System which includes Brisbane Water, Pittwater and Broken Bay estuaries. This coalition has now completed two stages of the CMP and are currently transitioning into Stage 3 that will aim to develop a suite of management actions to guide the coordinated management of the River system for the next 10 years. It's expected that identification, evaluation and selection of management options will be underpinned by an extensive stakeholder and community consultation process to ensure preferred management solutions are acceptable and associated responsibilities are understood by government agencies and community alike.

Our vision

“To preserve and enhance the environmental, social and economic values of the Hawkesbury River estuary system and its catchment for future generations, and ensure its status as one of Australia’s premier river systems”

What We've Achieved

  • MOU between 6 Partner Councils;

  • Thorough review of past management of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system;

  • First-pass risk assessment;

  • Identified gaps in knowledge and studies required to fill these gaps;

  • Completed 4 technical studies and a Community Uses and Values report to address some of the pressing knowledge gaps;

  • Determined a strategic path for Stages 3-4 of the CMP;

  • Identified key stakeholders;

  • Finalised broad community engagement strategy.

We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Hawkesbury River and surrounding lands and pay respect to their Ancestors and Elders past and present.